Health and safety signs are indispensable tools for creating safe environments across various settings, including workplaces, public spaces, and residential areas. They serve not only as warnings and instructions but also as vital communication mechanisms that enhance safety awareness and compliance with regulations.
As an employer, employee and individual, you must understand safety sign and their meanings so that you can appropriately use the correct safety signs in the workplace. Safety signs come in four distinct colours, and each indicates a different warning or precaution.
Blue safety signs are mandatory signs that explain a specific action. Yellow safety signs are warning or caution signs. Red safety signs usually indicate danger or prohibition of a certain substance or act. Green signs are not designed to highlight the danger and instead indicate helpful information and safe points, such as fire exits or first aid points.
All employers have a legal duty to display safety signs in places where there is a risk to the safety of pedestrians or employees even after putting other safety measures in place. Risks can be minimised by conducting routine workplace health and safety assessments.
All safety signs must be visible and legible and only be used to identify the correct actions, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE), or ‘no access’ zones. Using too many signs can be confusing, so you only need to put up a sign if there is a danger that poses a significant risk or a legal requirement to do so. While safety signs are not always required by law, they can still be helpful.
Safety signs and their meanings
Safety signs vary in colour, size and shape, according to their purpose. You should understand which safety signs you need to display in your business’ premises, as this will depend on the type of business you run. Usually, green safety signs are the most common, as all workplaces must indicate the locations of fire exits. If you use or store hazardous substances, yellow safety signs should be used.
Below are the most common types of safety signs and their meanings:
Danger or prohibition safety signs
Safety signs that indicate danger or a prohibition must be red and indicate that a particular behaviour must be stopped. They can also tell the reader to refrain from entering. For this type of safety sign to be lawful, red must cover at least 35% of the sign. Usually, these signs have a black image on a white and red background. For prohibition signs, a red circle with a strike-through line indicates which action must be stopped. The most common red prohibition sign is a ‘no smoking’ sign.
Warning signs
These are yellow signs that tell the reader to take precautions or be careful. They warn of possible dangers, such as an electrical or trip hazard. They are often triangular in shape, with a black image and black edging. They are usually accompanied by text explaining the warning in more detail.
Mandatory signs
Mandatory signs are always blue and tell the reader that a certain action is required. If you work in construction, you may recognise these signs. They are commonly seen at the entrance to the construction site and tell employees that they must follow a certain action, such as wearing the appropriate PPE. These signs have a blue background with white text and a white image.
Emergency exit signs
Emergency exit signs are always green in colour. They indicate the location of a safe escape route that can be used if there is a fire in the building. These are usually standardised and have a green background with white writing, and an image of a man running out of a door.
First aid signs
First aid signs are also green and indicate a first aid zone within an area. First aid signs are not always mandatory, but can be helpful in certain work settings. They can also be used to indicate where specialist first aid equipment is kept, such as defibrillators.
Fire safety signs
Fire safety signs are always red, as this colour represents danger or fire, and is eye-catching in an emergency situation. A sign like this could indicate a fire alarm call point or fire-fighting equipment. Usually, these are square or rectangular with a white image on a red background. They may also be accompanied by some text.
Combined signs
Combined safety signs are signs that convey multiple messages or pieces of information within a single visual display. These are ideal for garage courtyards or construction sites, where a combination of safety signs needs to be used. This avoids confusion and ensures that employees see all the relevant safety signs before entering an area.
The importance of these signs extends beyond mere compliance with regulations. Health and safety signs play a crucial role in fostering a culture of safety, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries by keeping individuals informed about potential risks. For instance, organisations that effectively implement these signs can significantly lower incident rates by ensuring that employees and visitors are aware of hazards and the necessary precautions to take. Furthermore, these signs facilitate emergency responses by guiding individuals during crises, thereby minimising panic and confusion. Regular audits and employee training on the meanings and importance of these signs enhance their effectiveness, allowing organisations to create a proactive safety culture.
Understanding health and safety signs is fundamental to ensuring safety in various environments. Their effectiveness lies not only in their presence but also in the awareness and compliance of individuals.